129: The first signs of an undercurrent

The night was thick as ink, and all was silent.

Situ Jun lay on the couch, with Su Yunniang sleeping soundly beside him. Her breathing was soft and even, like a gentle spring breeze, tugging at Situ Jun's heartstrings strand by strand.

Situ Jun held her gently, her warmth radiating through his arm, but he stared at the canopy of the bed, feeling no sleepiness at all.

Outside the window.

The moonlight was like a layer of thin gauze, filtering through the carved window frames and spilling onto the blue brick floor inside the room. It formed patches of mottled light and shadow, much like his current complex and difficult-to-untangle state of mind.

Now that he had someone like Su Yunniang who occupied his heart, he thought about more things. He had an extra concern in his heart, and many more worries.

Beijiang City appeared calm on the surface, like a pool of water without a ripple, but beneath that calm, undercurrents were surging.

Those mysterious people in the square, who seemed to be talking casually but were actually passing messages in secret, were the best proof.

What exactly were they plotting?

What kind of power was hidden behind them?

These questions shrouded Situ Jun's heart like a haze that would not dissipate.

While Situ Jun was tossing and turning, lost in thought, several dark figures were gathering surreptitiously in a dark and deep alley outside the City Lord's Manor.

In the darkness, their figures were blurred, and only their vague outlines could be seen.

"The news has been sent out. The superiors said to closely monitor Situ Jun's every move."

The man in black leading them lowered his voice. The sound seemed squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying a hint of tension and unease.

"Hmph, a newly arrived City Lord, what waves can he make? He's just a pawn of the Dynasty."

Another person let out a contemptuous sneer, his words full of disdain.

"Do not be careless. Since Situ Jun could sit in this position, he must have his extraordinary points. We only need to act as instructed; make sure not to show any flaws."

The leader's voice suddenly became stern, carrying a warning tone.

Afterward, the several people vanished silently into the night like ghosts, as if they had never appeared.

However, this warm and sweet time did not last long.

Only three days later, an urgent battle report suddenly arrived from the border of Beijiang City.

A mysterious force was frequently active at the border, their movements strange. Various signs indicated they seemed to have ill intentions.

At the same time, rumors began to circulate in the city.

Some said Situ Jun's position as City Lord was obtained through illegitimate means, and that Bei Batian's departure had hidden circumstances.

Some even maliciously incited the common people, spreading rumors that Situ Jun had seized the City Lord position and forcibly taken Bei Batian's wives and concubines, questioning his impure motives and lack of ability.

These rumors, like a sudden storm, quickly spread through the city, causing panic among the people.

Faced with these sudden internal and external troubles, Situ Jun did not lose his composure.

He responded quickly. On one hand, he immediately ordered Zhu Changpo, Wang Decai, and others to strengthen the city's defenses and arrange for soldiers to closely monitor every movement at the border, not letting any suspicious sign go unnoticed.

On the other hand, he urgently summoned the representatives of the major families in Beijiang City to hold an important meeting in the council chamber of the City Lord's Manor to discuss countermeasures together.

Inside the council chamber, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive, as if the air itself had been frozen.

The Family representatives had various expressions; some had furrowed brows and were deeply worried.

Some had flickering gazes, observing secretly, seemingly waiting for Situ Jun's reaction, trying to find information beneficial to their own families from his words and deeds.

"Everyone, Beijiang City is currently facing a grave situation of internal and external troubles. I have summoned you all here in the hope that we can pool our wisdom and discuss effective countermeasures together."

Situ Jun's gaze was firm and his expression steady. His eyes were like a sharp sword, scanning everyone present:

"Regardless of where the rumors come from, I have a clear conscience and definitely have the ability to protect Beijiang and the interests of everyone sitting here. As for the border matters, I still need your full assistance to maintain the peace of Beijiang together."

"City Lord, words are cheap, but there is no proof. How can we be sure you truly have the ability to handle this?"

The speaker was the Head of the Wang Family. He slightly raised his chin, his tone carrying a hint of provocation and his eyes full of doubt.

Situ Jun did not get angry at the provocation from the Head of the Wang Family. His expression was calm as he spoke slowly and unhurriedly:

"Head of the Wang Family, since I took over Beijiang City, although the time has been short, I have never been negligent in the slightest.

Every day I work conscientiously, focused only on the stability and development of Beijiang City.

Now that the situation is tense, it is a time when people are needed. If you have better methods and suggestions, Head of the Wang Family, I am willing to listen and learn with an open mind.

If not, I hope you and the other families can work together with one heart to face the crisis. Do not let yourselves be used by those with ulterior motives to destabilize the Foundation of Beijiang City and ruin everyone's peaceful life."

The other Family representatives listened and nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, the Head of the Wang Family couldn't say anything more. He could only let out a cold snort, turned his head away, and stopped speaking, although the look of dissatisfaction on his face had not yet faded.

A few days later, the market in Beijiang City was suddenly bustling.

A group of Western Regions Merchants arrived with a large quantity of dazzling rare treasures for trade. Their stalls were surrounded by curious commoners, and everyone marveled at the treasures they had never seen before.

However, the eyes of these merchants were constantly, intentionally or unintentionally, sizing up the city defenses and the passing pedestrians. Their every move did not escape the eyes of the scouts arranged by Zhu Changpo.

After Situ Jun learned of this, he couldn't help but frown and fall into deep thought.

He knew well that during this sensitive period, the sudden visit of Western Regions Merchants was by no means accidental; there must be a hidden mystery within.

Situ Jun quickly called for Zhu Changpo and Wang Decai, and the three of them consulted secretly in the study.

"My Lord, these Western Regions Merchants came very strangely. I sent men to investigate carefully, and they don't seem like people from the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty or the Xuan Yin Sect, nor do they seem like scouts sent by the Dynasty. Their identities are very mysterious."

Zhu Changpo said with a solemn face, his voice carrying a hint of worry.

Situ Jun pondered for a moment before slowly speaking:

"Monitor their every move closely. Do not act rashly, lest we alert the enemy. Additionally, strengthen the city defenses and increase the number of patrolling soldiers, just in case."

Meanwhile, in a hidden courtyard in Beijiang City, several mysterious people were sitting around a table with somber expressions.

"Situ Jun is indeed not easy to deal with; our actions have already aroused his suspicion."

One of them was full of annoyance and slapped the table hard, making a dull thud.

"It doesn't matter, we still have a follow-up move. In three days, a good show will be staged at the Northern Ore Vein. At that time, even if Situ Jun has heaven-reaching abilities, he will be unable to attend to everything and can only worry in vain."

Another person's eyes flashed with a hint of ruthlessness, and the corners of his mouth curled into a cold smile, as if he had already seen Situ Jun's disheveled appearance when trapped in a predicament.

In the evening, the afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the corridors of the City Lord's Manor, plating everything with a layer of golden light.

After Situ Jun came out of Cherry's room, his gaze was inadvertently drawn to a flash of a moon-white hem at the end of the corridor.

(Day after day, I can't even earn enough for a steamed bun. If it weren't for a few supporters urging for updates, I would have given up. It's too hard and affects my mood too much.)